Deprescribing Psychiatric Drugs in the 21st Century

12-1PM = Meet & Greet Luncheon

1-2PM = Presentation followed by Q&A 

Adverse effects and lack of effectiveness appear to drive many people to stop taking prescribed antidepressants, benzodiazepines, antipsychotics and other psychotropics. Complex withdrawal effects, dissatisfaction with physicians' responses, and turning to peer advice online are widely reported in surveys of people attempting to discontinue. In this talk I outline challenges and controversies concerning appropriate ways to deprescribe, the nature and extent of withdrawal reactions, as well as the likely co-optation of user-led knowledge and practice to turn deprescribing into another form of psychiatric or psychopharmacological advance. 
 

Co-sponsored by the Research Theme in Health Equity & Translational Social Science (HETSS) and the Rangell Social Medicine Grand Rounds Series